Subaru WRX Forum banner

Catback exhaust

1 reading
11K views 21 replies 9 participants last post by  Wrx>>  
#1 ·
Hey guys so I currently have a 2013 WRX Hatch with an Invidia catless down pipe and a stock cat back exhaust with a Torqued Performance Stage 2 tune. I was thinking of buying a catback exhaust. With the catless down pipe, the turbo's spool and blowoff are quite defined. I merely wish to amplify this sound and the iconic boxer growl. I don't want anything raspy, just throaty and semi loud. Ive looked at videos of different set ups but I am not sure how much justice these videos do to the sound. I don't know a whole lot about cutbacks in particular. I am between the COBB catback, the Invidia Q300's, Greddy SP Elite, Turboxs, or the ARK GRiP. Which one is the best in your opinions?Additionally, will adding a cutback exhaust increase the chances of boos creep or over boost? So far I have no experienced any of these complications, but I was wondering if that was due to the stock cutback. Thanks a lot! Look forward to reading your responses!
 
#2 ·
I like the N1 for a hatch, sound nice some say it's loud.
Invidia N1 Cat Back Exhaust Titanium Tip Subaru WRX Hatchback 2008-2014 HS08SW5GTT at RallySportDirect.com
The Q300 is a good option but will most likely make the droning sound. Cobb is nice but pricy, I have a Cobb Downpipe catted.

You might overboost a little with the cat less, this can be tuned out.
If it's boost creep. You can't tune it out.
Just make sure your datalogging as often as you can. This way you can identify over boosting. It happened to me when my car was first protuned. I over boosted by 1.5-2.5psi plus or minus one. My tuner revised the map and has been fine since.
 
#3 ·
If you aren't wanting too loud yet throaty then I would recommend the Q300 or the Ark Grip. Ark is a fantastic system but you definitely pay the premium price for it. Honestly, a cat back is just a noise maker. So my opinion is that there is really no need to pay that extra amount unless you really are attached to the brand or are wanting some bragging rights. With that said, I would buy the Q300 if I were in your shoes. The Q300 is probably the most well rounded and liked CBE system for our generation of WRX. Just a side note, I have the Q300 on my sedan and I couldn't be happier. Now keep in mind, the Q300 on the sedan sounds different than on the hatch as the exhausts are set up slightly different. But if you buy the Invidia, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Edit: To my knowledge, there is not one exhaust that doesn't have drone on the hatch. So drone will be present unfortunately on any setup you go with. If you wanted the least amount of drone then the ARK might be best for that as it was designed to try and completely eliminate drone on all applications.
 
#5 ·
Invidia Q300 all the way. I absolutely love mine. The N1........ is just not my cup of tea. Too loud and I dont like the look of the big slanted mufflers on the new body style. Looks too ricey in my opinion. Nice thing about the Q300 is it still utilizes a stock like look with the quad tips. Some say that it will drone on the hatchback model. I have a hatch with the Q300 and up to this point (been on about 8 months and 10k+ miles) have only had a very slight drone once and that was at about 70mph on the interstate.
Thanks guys for these posts . Very good/helpful info . I just got a q300 for my wrx sedan . I have a tusdo catless dp n Cobb intake . I can't wait to get it installed
 
#4 ·
Invidia Q300 all the way. I absolutely love mine. The N1........ is just not my cup of tea. Too loud and I dont like the look of the big slanted mufflers on the new body style. Looks too ricey in my opinion. Nice thing about the Q300 is it still utilizes a stock like look with the quad tips. Some say that it will drone on the hatchback model. I have a hatch with the Q300 and up to this point (been on about 8 months and 10k+ miles) have only had a very slight drone once and that was at about 70mph on the interstate.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for all the feedback guys! Yeah I think I'm just going to with the Q300's probably unless I can find a good deal on the ARK's. I like the quad exhaust look, and although the exhaust wouldn't necessarily add power, I feel like the added sound would really enhance the driving experience. Right now, it pulls hard but the lack of sound sort of takes away from the experience. Thanks guys!
 
#9 ·
i have a friend with a catless dp and the q300 and it sounds really good nice and deep lots of burbles and pops with a little hint of rasp. i have an n1 race and i kind of dont agree with how loud everyone says it is. i mean its not a quiet exhaust but its really not what id call an excessively loud exhaust.
 
#11 ·
#12 ·
Most q300 are on nation wide back order so before you try n order, just make sure they are in stock.. I must have talked to over 20 diff places and was told the same story. I found a guy on ebay who had one left . I just got delivered the other day

Mikie13.. I have heard that the exhaust tips get black rather quickly when it is tuned n have a Catless dp... Is that true ?
 
#13 ·
Mikie13.. I have heard that the exhaust tips get black rather quickly when it is tuned n have a Catless dp... Is that true ��
It's bound to happen with any change in exhaust and a tuned car.
 
#15 ·
I use never dull, on my mufflers.
Shines them up nice.
If your muflers are to close to your bumper, get the long Kartboy exhaust hangers.
 
#19 ·
Ah I see what you mean. Those finishers. I've not seen anything like that for the 08-10 sedans save for faux carbon fiber kind of stuff from ebay that is like a one-size-fits-all kinda thing.

I think the longer hangers would benefit you.
 
#20 ·
Ordered the exhaust from gotboost last week and it just came in the mail this wednesday. I will probably install them in a week or so, but just from the looks of the system it looks great! Can't wait to get them installed! I got them for around 800$ so it wasn't a terrible price. Thanks for all the help! I'll let you know how it goes after installation. And yes considering I live in Michigan with the temperatures this low, I might have to take some datalogs in case not to overboost
 
#21 ·
Hey guys so I got them installed yesterday and they look great! The car sounds really deep and it's loud but not unbearable. It's not raspy or ricey I think it's perfect. My only complaint is the drone on the highway is a wee bit excessive. I guess I'll just get used to it or buy some ear muffs or something. Thanks for all the help everyone!
 

Attachments